Comparing AMD to Intel is like comparing oranges and apples. The closest AMD equivalent for an Intel Core i5 is the AMD Ryzen 5. This is a mid-tier line of processors that offer competitive price-to-performance ratios.
AMD has recently gained a lot of attraction, eventually locking horns with Intel in the battle for processor supremacy. With top-of-the-line chips across all price points, many might wonder what AMD is equivalent to Intel Core i5.
A direct comparison is impossible because even in the Core i5 and Ryzen 5 families, numerous CPU models vary in performance across generations and even within generations.
But the common notion here is that AMD Ryzen 5 and Intel Core i5 are most reasonable for those looking for performance and value. When in doubt, go for a mid-range Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor. Whether you are building a gaming, productivity, or work PC, these mainstream lines of processors can handle your tasks very well.
They excel in terms of single-core performance in particular. The single-core version of a Core i5 and Ryzen 5 is on par with their Core i7 and Ryzen 7 counterparts.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is AMD Equivalent to Intel Core i5?
Ryzen 5 is the AMD equivalent of the Intel Core i5. It is as simple as that. It denotes a line of processors winning users to the “Team Red” since April 2017 with the first generation, Ryzen 5 1600X.
The Intel Core i5 and the AMD Ryzen 5 within a generation are more or less the same in performance.
Generally, though, when it comes to single-core performance, Intel takes the cake. When it comes to multi-core performance, AMD takes the cake.
However, this is not always the case, particularly with the recent generation of Ryzen processors. AMD has improved its performance by leaps and bounds, and thus you should check out benchmark results such as Cinebench R20 or R23 for a better understanding of a particular processor you want to compare.
But again, when comparing performance and value, Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 are close rivals. Comparing AMD Ryzen 5 with any other Intel Core series, such as i3 or i7, would be unfair in terms of price point.
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Characteristics of AMD Ryzen 5 Processors
Ryzen 5 refers to a family of AMD processors with few characteristics.
- They come in two standard configurations, 4 cores with 8 threads and 6 cores with 12 threads.
- There are three variants, i.e., desktop-based WITHOUT integrated graphics, desktop-based WITH integrated graphics, and laptop/mobile based.
- Unlike Intel, where most of the Intel Core series processors feature integrated graphics, with AMD, only a handful of processors with the ‘G’ suffix offer integrated graphics.
- They feature a lot of overclocking potentials. Unlike Intel Core processors, where only the “K” series processors are overclockable, with AMD, all Ryzen 5 processors are overclockable.
AMD Ryzen 5 Generations and Top of The Line CPUs
Like the Intel Core i5 series, the Ryzen 5 series has different generations, with each age significantly better than the previous one.
The current AMD generation of the chip is the 5th. This features the series 5000 processors released in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Let us look at the performance and specs of some of the top Ryzen 5 new-gen processors.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: Desktop-based, top-of-the-line 5000 series Ryzen 5 processor. 6 cores and 12 threads. 3.7 GHz – 4.6 GHz clock speed.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT: Desktop-based, from the older 3000 series. Ryzen 5 3600 XT also features 6 cores and 12 threads but a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz, Max clock speed of 4.5 GHz.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600G: Desktop-based. APU, meaning it has integrated graphics. 6 cores and 12 threads. Speeds of 3.9 GHz – 4.4 GHz base and boost frequency, respectively
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H: Laptop-based. The line mobile processor has 6 cores and 12 threads. 3.3 GHz – 4.2 GHz clock speed.
Also Read: What is a Good Processor Speed for a Laptop?
Characteristics of Intel Core I5 Processors
The Core i5 lineup is aimed at users with demanding power requirements. However, it is affordable enough to be mainstream.
The characteristics are almost identical to Ryzen 5 processor. The newer 10th and 11th Gen Core i5 processors also feature 6 cores and 12 threads like the newer Ryzen 5 processors.
Intel Core i5 Generations and Top of The Line Processors
The current generation of Intel Core i5 processors is the 11th gen. However, the 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processors are also quite famous due to the lower price tag.
In addition to a better performance from the 11th-gen processors compared to the 10th-gen processors, the 11th-gen CPUs also have 20 PCIe Lanes compared to 16 on the previous gens.
Also Read: What are PCIe Lanes?
- Intel Core i5-11600K: Desktop-based. The flagship Intel Core i5 processor of the latest 11th generation. The processor features 6 cores and 12 threads. It offers a higher base and max clock speed of 3.90 GHz and 4.90 GHz, respectively.
- Intel Core i5-10600K and 10600KF: Desktop-based. The “KF” variant does not feature an integrated graphics card. Both have 6 cores and 12 threads. Both have 4.1 GHz – 4.8GHz clock speeds. Both are overclockable.
- Intel Core i5 11400H: Flagship laptop/mobile-based Intel Core i5 processor. 6 cores/ 12 threads. 2.60 – 4.40 GHz.
Benchmark Results Comparison
The top performers in their lineups are the Intel Core i5 11600K, 10600K, 10600KF, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.
Let us now look at how the processors compare using benchmarks.
The free tool I am using lets you compare and benchmark your CPU performance with tests based on real-world computer usage.
For instance, let us compare the single and multi-core performance of the Intel Core i5 -11600K vs. the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X using the Cinebench R20 benchmark and Passmark Benchmark results.
Intel Core i5 -11600K vs. the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Cinebench R20 Single Core Performance
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: 604
- Intel Core i5-11600K: 598
As far as the single-core performance goes in this benchmark, the results are pretty comparable.
Cinbench R20 Multi-Core Performance
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: 4562
- Intel Core i5-11600K: 4293
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X seems to take the cake regarding its multi-core performance.
Passmark Single Core Score
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: 3380
- Intel Core i5-11600K: 3380
Again, according to Passmark scores, both have similar single-core performances.
PassMark Overall Score
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: 22191
- Intel Core i5-11600K: 19932
The overall winner in the Passmark benchmark is AMD Ryzen 5 5600X owing to its better multi-core performance.
Note On Single Core and Multi-Core Performance
When comparing processors, you must look at their single and multi-core performance.
This is because certain apps and tasks rely more on a single core. In other words, they do not utilize all cores. On the other hand, other jobs leverage multiple CPU cores.
Games like FPS, RPG, online MMORPG games, and professional work like designing in CAD or working in the timeline are all highly single-core-based tasks.
On the other hand, games like strategy and simulation games and work like rendering and encoding are multi-core reliant.
Therefore, you have to gauge your needs well. In most cases, for gamers and most intermediate professionals, Single Core performance should be the more important characteristic to look at.
Also Read: Is a Quad Core Processor Good for Gaming?
Complete Comparison of Top Intel Core and Ryzen 5 Processor
The following table compares the top processors from their respective categories in the Core i5 and the Ryzen 5 series.
| Product | Type | Single Core Cinebench R20 Score | Multi Core Cinebench R20 Score | Passmark Score | Clock Speed Base / Boost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | Desktop | 604 | 4562 | 22191 | 3.7/4.6 GHz |
| Intel Core i5 11600K | Desktop | 598 | 4293 | 19932 | 3.9/4.9 GHz |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT | Desktop | 519 | 3855 | 18842 | 3.8/4.5 GHz |
| Intel Core i5 10600K | Desktop | 501 | 3629 | 6 | 4.1/4.8 GHz |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | Desktop (W/O iGPU) | 574 | 4511 | 19959 | 3.9/4.4 GHz |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600H | Laptop | – | – | 18309 | 3.3/4.2 GHz |
| Intel Core i5 11400H | Laptop | – | – | 17901 | 2.6/4.4 GHz |
Also Read:
- What is AMD Equivalent to Intel Core i3?
- What is AMD Equivalent to Intel Core i7?
- What is AMD Equivalent to Intel Core i9?
Conclusion
So to reiterate the answer to what AMD is equivalent to Intel Core i5, it is AMD Ryzen 5. However, when drawing up a comparison, you must consider the generation and the processor type.
For instance, you cannot compare a laptop-based Intel Core i5 processor with a desktop-based Ryzen 5 processor. Laptop-based processors are far weaker than their desktop counterparts, so this comparison will not work.
Also Read: How to Check How Many CPU Threads I Have
frequently asked questions
1. Can I use an AMD processor instead of Intel Core i5 in my existing computer build?
It depends on the compatibility of your existing motherboard.
AMD processors use a different socket than Intel Core i5 processors, so you need to ensure that your motherboard supports the socket type of the AMD processor you want to install.
You also need to make sure that the power supply unit can handle the power requirements of the new processor.
2. What are the main differences between AMD and Intel processors in terms of architecture and features?
The main difference between AMD and Intel processors is their architecture.
AMD processors have a modular design with multiple cores and threads, which allows them to perform better in multitasking and heavily threaded applications.
Intel processors, on the other hand, have a more linear design with fewer cores but higher clock speeds, which makes them better for single-threaded tasks and gaming.
In terms of features, AMD processors usually offer more value for money as they come with features like overclocking, unlocked multipliers, and support for PCIe 4.0 at lower prices than Intel processors.
Intel processors, on the other hand, have features like Intel Quick Sync Video, which accelerates video encoding and decoding, and Intel Optane Memory, which speeds up system responsiveness.
3. Are AMD processors more power-efficient than Intel’s Core i5 processors?
In general, AMD processors are not as power-efficient as Intel’s Core i5 processors, especially in the mid-range and high-end segments.
This is because AMD processors typically have more cores and higher clock speeds, which require more power.
However, AMD has made significant strides in power efficiency with their latest Ryzen processors, and some of their newer models are comparable to Intel Core i5 processors in terms of power efficiency.
Ultimately, the power consumption of a processor depends on its specific model, so it is important to compare the power consumption of different processors before making a purchase decision.
